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It felt like a final reconciliation. The moment they left the sorrows of the past behind and stepped into the future.
“We will,” Eloise said, and he led them arm in arm down the stairs to the parlor.
Delphine was waiting there. She gave a cry of excitement at the sight of Eloise in her wedding dress and hurried to embrace her.
“Oh, My Lady, you look beautiful. I wanted to come and help you, but Lady Alice insisted you’d both help one another,” Delphine bubbled, and Eloise smiled at her.
“Yes, it’s quite all right, Delphine. I wanted Alice to help me today, but I know you’re going to be the perfect bridesmaid.”
Delphine was dressed in a pretty pink dress and was holding a posy of flowers picked for her by Annabelle. All was ready, and the clock on the mantelpiece said half past ten. The wedding would begin at eleven O’clock, and outside in the farmyard, an open cart decorated with the last of the summer greenery was waiting to take them to the church.
“I’ve longed for this day, My Lady. I wish you every happiness in the world,” Delphine said, taking Eloise by the hand and leading her out into the farmyard.
The others followed, and Annabelle and Samuel cheered excitedly at the sight of the horses with ribbons tied into their manes.
“Isn’t it wonderful,” Eloise exclaimed, as they climbed into the open cart.
This was not to be the grand society wedding expected of a woman like her. There would be no congregation, save a few friends, and no lavish celebration, save that which would be laid out on the kitchen table in the farmhouse. But grand gestures meant nothing without love, and Eloise knew this wedding meant more than anything she could have ever dreamed of.
“I feel so happy for you, Eloise. You look radiant,” Alice said, as they set off down the lane and made their way towards the village.
The sun was shining, and though the day was not warm, it was bright and filled with hope. They could hear the church bells ringing in the distance. As they approached the village green, Eloise could see a small crowd of well-wishers – amongst them, the servants from their new home at Wiscombe Manor – gathered to greet them.
“God bless you, My Lady,” Mrs. Byers called out, and Eloise waved to them as the cart came to a halt outside the church.
The rector, dressed in a billowing white surplice, stepped forward to greet them, smiling as he helped Eloise down from the cart.
“Good morning, My Lady, and a fine morning it is, too. His Grace arrived a short while ago. Are you ready?” he asked, and Eloise nodded.
“I think so. It’s all very exciting,” she replied, glancing at her father, who smiled.
“And this time, it’s entirely right,” he said, offering her his arm.
The clergyman, whose name was Reverend North, led them to the open doors of the church. It was an ancient building, with medieval gargoyles looking down on them from the gutter spouts and gnarled yew trees growing in the churchyard. Eloise could hear the organ playing, and she pictured Jackson waiting for her at the front of the church.
“Are you ready, My Lady?” Delphine whispered, slipping her hand into Eloise’s, and squeezing it.
“I think so, yes,” Eloise whispered back, even as her heart was beating fast.
The clergyman gave a sign to the organist, and a fanfare now struck up as he led them into the church. It was a beautiful building, with a magnificent stained-glass window that cast rays of colored light over the ancient pews and stonework. Eloise could see Jackson waiting for her at the altar, and standing next to him was James, acting as his right-hand man. Only two other guests were present: Jackson’s uncle and Lady Silvana. The two of them were sitting on the front pew.
“Are you and Lady Silvana on speaking terms now, Father?” Eloise asked in a low voice, and her father nodded.
“One can’t hold a grudge forever. Besides, if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have my beautiful daughter Alice on my other side, would I?” He glanced at Alice, who smiled.
As they came to the front of the church, Jackson turned to greet them. He had trimmed his beard and looked ever so handsome, dressed in a new frock coat, with a blue cravat and a starched collar at the neck.
“You look beautiful, Eloise,” he whispered to her, as her father loosed his arm from hers and presented her to her husband-to-be.
“And you look very handsome, too,” she said, as the clergyman came to stand in front of them.
The organ ceased, and Alice, Delphine and the Viscount took their seats. The clergyman cleared his throat and opened his prayer book.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this Congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church…” he began, reading the familiar words of the marriage service.
And so, Eloise and Jackson made their vows. They promised faithfulness to one another in all things for as long as they both shall live. Whilst Eloise could never have promised such things to Lord Crawford – not with any truth, at least – she had not the slightest doubt in pledging her troth to Jackson. He was the man she loved, the man she wanted to give her very self to, and in return, he did the same, pledging his devotedness so that the pronouncement of their marriage was the public declaration of their hearts. Eloise and Jackson were in love, and what God had now bound, no man could put asunder.
“I love you,” Jackson whispered, turning to Eloise and smiling at her, as the clergyman closed his prayer book and stepped back.
